A Year-end Promise

I have been so bad about keeping this blog up-to-date. Hoping to turn over a new leave and get everybody else to contribute regularly as well!

In complete random order, here's what I am thinking about today:

Saints suck --- once again this is a team that underperforms against all our high -- and maybe unreasonable expectations. But I really believe they should be performing at playoff level. Arguably the best quarterback in the league in Drew Brees, one of the best breakaway players in the game in Reggie Bush, a solid if not spectacular group of running backs, decent offensive line and what should be at least an average defense. Yet, here they are out of the playoffs again. WTF! Lat night against the Bears was the worst. No offense in the 1st half. Spectacular third period and choking in the 4th only to lose in OT.

On the other hand, the Hornets rule. Hitting their stride now.

Abita Amber -- for some reason my liquor store stocks every Abita brand but Amber. Another WTF? Got to speak to management!

New Year's Eve -- should be a blast. Kevin, Corina and kids & Noam, Elise and Max will be joining us in New Orleans for a fun-filled week. Bonerama, Kermit, Soul Rebels and John Boutte in town -- so should be a lot of fun.

Bin 504 -- Kevin and I picked the next batch in October in Paso Robles, CA. So Vintage 2008 is in the barrel and ready for release in spring 2011. Kevin and I have been having samplings over the last few months, and getting a lot of positive feedback. We think! Or else everybody's just being kind!

2009 Festivals -- hoping everybody will be coming to New Orleans multiple times in 2009. Between Mardi Gras, French QuarterFest, Dorothy and John's wedding, JazzFest, Satchmofest, Voodoofest and the usual every week festivities, start marking your calendars today! And remember, plan ahead so you can start your weekend at Vaughan's on Thursday night.

Missin' NOLA today...

I'm in "post-election party mood" and figured if I can't be there today, I'd post a few old photos and reminisce...

A NOLA Night in NYC - August 23

This past weekend, Lincoln Center hosted an outdoor concert for the 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival. Saturday's event was called "The Heart of New Orleans" and on the bill was some of New Orleans' greats ... Hot 8 Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Marc Stone, Irma Thomas and our very dear friends, John Boutte, Leroy Jones, Todd Duke and Peter Harris!

It was a perfect night. Weather was beautiful, and the crowd was feeling the vibe. I got there about 6:30 and was met at the side of the stage by Lee. He gave me a wrist band so I could hang backstage with them and watch the show from there. When I saw John, he ran at me and just about jumped into my arms (quite the greeting, I must say!). Can't believe I haven't seen him since FQF!

John, Lee, Todd and Peter took the stage at 7pm. Lee was absolutely brilliant, Todd amazing and John, well, was sheer perfection. Even though he was a bit under the weather and felt like he was only at 70%, he really was at 200%. Incredible!! They opened with Louisiana 1927 (of course, I cried), and also did Good Neighbor, Sisters, Broke Down the Door/Treme Song, Door Poppin', Southern Man, Lipstick Traces, Skylark and then he did it ... American Tune, a cappella. Again, I cried like a baby. He had mentioned earlier that he didn't think he had the voice to do it, but he found it ... and the crowd went nuts! It was really an amazing sight to see 200+ people standing and staring in awe at the power of his voice. They closed with When The Saints Go Marching In.

I drove the boys back to their hotel after the show - everyone was exhausted ... Lee had played the Hall on Friday and was on about 3 hours sleep, Todd was spent and as I mentioned, John wasn't feeling well. But, I have to say that the car ride was one of the funniest moments I've ever spent with those guys. John was on fiyah!! Todd said he wished he had a tape recorder so he could capture all of the John-isms that were flying out of his mouth. We laughed so hard and so much in such a short period of time. It was just silly and great and I wished that moment could've gone on forever...

It was such a fun and wonderful night, and it made me realize even more how much I love NOLA, love my friends and how much I am missing them both.

A Side by Side Comparison: The Gelfond vs. The Broussard Uniclutch

This Just In: The Broussard Uniclutch Leapfrogs The Old-Fashioned Gelfond

Hot off the wires today.

SatchmoFest Part Deux

A few other memories -- Lee doing "The Signifying Monkey" at what's the name of that place again across from Mona Lisa whose name I always block out?; Carol fighting for our rights at Drgaon's Den; and hearing Ivan Neville, Ian Neville and George Porter at The Balcony Club.

So Sorry I Missed It!

Had a GREAT time in Sydney, but thought often of my friends attending Satchmo Fest.

The hotel I stayed in Sydney served tots every morning for breakfast and because of the time difference between Sydney and NOLA, it is possible that we were all eating tots at the same time.

First Dispatch from SatchmoSummerFest

First off, to our great SatchmoFest friends, Kevin, Ed, Maria, Noam and Elise -- you get a pass this year, but never again! You missed another amazing experience -- and the only thing that would have made it better would have been your presence!

So where to start? Great music, great food, great friends, great wine....I guess that about covers it! And a full krewe including Brent, Carol, Jon and Dorothy, Steve and Linda, Kim, Barri and Ellen, Bill, Pat, Lee and Katja.

Here's a fast rundown:

Friday -- a pre-release party for Bin 504 at 822, followed by the SatchmoStrut down Frenchmen Street and dinner at 13, a trip to Preservation Hall to see the great Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola at Preservation Hall, followed by a rejuvenated Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers at Blue Nile.

Saturday -- tattoos at Electric Ladyland, great music at SatchmoSummerFest, dinner for 14 at Marigny Brasserie, Soul Rebels at Blue Nile and a late, late, late night at 13 (featuring the world premiere of "King Tot".

Sunday -- more music at SatchmoFest (including a wonderful performance by the Helsinki Connection, dinner at Maximo's, and a late night tour of clubs including a live recording by Marlon Jordan, Glen David Andrews at DBA and a vocalist doing headstands at the Apple Barrel.

And Monday including bike riding in the Quarter, drinks at 13 and a wonderful evening at Kermit's place featuring George French and Germaine Bazzle.

So what have we left out? A thousand and one memories of friendship, laughter and general silliness including Gaby sitting in the front row during Lee and Katja's performance; the unveliling of King Tot and The Tot family; Bill and Pat's postcard; the hotel pool; the conspiracy theory at Marigny Brasserie; dancing at the Blue Nile; closing down 13 and playing In the Waiting Line 50 times; the signed Bonerama poster; Bin 504!; making wedding plans with Jon and Dorothy; Hogshead cheese; Treme, Shmarr Allen....

Hoping others can help fill in the blanks and contribute their pictures.

Thanks to everyone for another splendid, splendid time. Wish we could do it every weekend!

Wow!

Wish I had been there, Kevin. From the pictures looks like you had a great view!

Troy is playing Taste of Lincoln on July 27 here in Chicago. And, of course, the Rockford Labor Day Festival.

It's a real shame he won't be at Satchmofest this year.

And it's a real shame you won't be there either!

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Own Hollywood!

OK, so maybe it was only about 120 people, and only West Hollywood, but based on the energy generated during the set, from the band and the crowd, I'd say Troy and his band have an open invitation to the Key Club.

Orleans Avenue was not the headliner. They were the second of three bands to perform on the evening. Most people seemed to be waiting around for the funk band, Lettuce, who was set to perform after Troy so when Troy first arrived on stage, the crowd was friendly, polite and certainly not prepared for what they were about to hear. An hour later friendly and polite turned into a downright frenzy reminicent of what it is like to see Troy at the Blue Nile or DBA on Frenchmen street. Even the members of Lettuce were shaking their heads in disbelief at Troy's trumpet solos. And I have to say that Troy seems to be even better on the Trumpet, which is hard to imagine. His trombone playing was powerful and amazing as always, but man, something about his trumpet solos last night. 80+ years of trumpet playing, from Louis to Wynton, burst from Troy's horn in small, but brilliant, doses. I will admit that living in the Los Angeles area I starve for New Orleans music so I was really, really ready for this show even if I only found out about it a few hours earlier. Therfore my objective senses may be scewed, but I believe that if the trumpet giants in jazz heaven were looking for a gig last night to view from above, their sites were probably set on West Hollywood.

Chicago Blues Festival

Had a lot of fun Sunday at the Chicago Blues Festival. Torrential rain most of the day, but clouds broke and sun came out just in time for John Boutte, with newlywed Todd Duke on guitar.

John was in an exceptional mood...said he was really happy and that he loves Chicago. Played a slightly bluesier set than usual -- after all it was the blues festival! And Todd was smokin' on guitar, lots of blues riffs -- and his lovely bride was backstage with him.

Highlight of the show was Louisiana 1927, which he closed with. Basin Street Blues, Good Neighbor, Sisters some of the other highlights.

Couple of really grainy cameraphone pictures to share. My real point in posting them was to show the amazing juxtaposition of John and Todd with my office building in the background! Needless to say, since I park under that building the commute was pretty short!

Following John's great show, I raced over the catch the second half of Davell Crawford. Davell was simply amazing. He said he plays jazz festivals and gospel festivals all the time -- but blues festivals? Not so much.

Which made his performance all the more amazing! He just burned, playing piano, electric piano and organ. Back up singers, smoking guitarist -- the whole band cooked.

As I was leaving, I heard a young woman say "that was the best blues I heard all weekend."

To steal my favorite word from "Almost Famous" -- it was "incendiary."

Picture Memories From JazzFest Weekend One

More From Weekend Two

Jazzfest -- Weekend Two Highlights

Greetings, everybody. Apologies for being so tardy in my postings. Probably take a few postings in all to capture all the memories, but here is the first downpayment, with a primary focus on music!

Six outstanding days of music, beginning on Tuesday when Noam and Elise arrived. Check this out for a first night: dinner/Hornets games at Vaughan's; Treme Brass Band at Ray Ray's; Dragon Smoke (Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, Stanton Moore and guests) at DBA; nightcap at Donna's to see Kid Chocolate with special guest including Maurice Brown! A night to remember!!!! Plus late night delicacies from Nelly Deli.

Wednesday highlight: Troyfest 08 in Bill and Pat's neighbor's backyard. Only snafu, no one remembered to bring a PA and there were no lights! So we listened to the band in the dark with no vocals! Other than that...a splendid time was had by all! Lovely dinner at Maximo's with beignets to follow.

Thursday: we biked to JazzFest, weather was glorious. Highlights were Bonerama on the big stage; Deacon John who did a tremendous big band show; Steve Riley who once again did a shout out to Renee and me; and the Nightcrawlers who rocked the house (and are going back into the studio shortly).

Friday: another beautiful biking day. Highlights included The Bluerunners, Soul Rebels, Trombone Shorty at Congo Square, John Boutte, and Michael Franti in the rain!

Saturday: it poured all night..and we were fearful that Jazzfest might be cancelled. But the weather broke about 12:30 and it was a glorious day! Highlights included Alejandro Escovedo on the big stage when the weather was way iffy early in the morning, the Storyville Stompers, the Crescent City Allstars featuring James Andrews, Troy Andrews and Walter Wolfman Washington, the beautfiul Stephanie Jordan, and a tribute to Max Roach featuring Shannon Powell,Herlin Riley and Jason Marsalis.

Sunday: Crowd was huge. Music was amazing. Highlighs included the Derek Trucks Band, the Raconteurs, Santana, Rebirth, Snooks Eaglin, Ivan Nevill's Dumpstaphunk, Jonathan Batiste and Sonny Landreth.

Leaving out so much stuff...Eric Lindell at One Eyed Jack's, California Pizza Kitchen, Hornets game, Mona Lisa, gumbo, hangin' with Noam and Elise. And multiple tots at 13.

One item of note: an invention -- The Gelfond -- was created one day one by Noam. Pictures to follow...but it is the seminal move for navigating one's bike down a narrow alleyway or through the bike maze at JazzFest.

Continuing the journey: Saturday at FQF

Actually, we missed most of it as we spent about 6 hours in 13. It has become tradition to spend at least one day during a festival in 13 and we certainly didn't break tradition this time. Thanks to newcomer, Mindi (if I spelled her name wrong, tell her so that she'll visit the blog and correct me), who forced Peter and I to shoot the photo -- by shooting it herself -- that will eventually become the label for bin 504 (anyone who doesn't yet know what bin 504 is, please read prior blog entries, but shame on you as you've been out of touch too long). After much merriment at 13, we headed to the main riverfront stage to listen, dance, and scream to the Soul Rebels. Just another one of those amazing moments that you never want to end. It was so good that I felt like I was about the explode. Then I realized that although the Rebels were that good, my close to combustive state had more to do with my needing to go to the bathroom. Turns out Maria was in the same state so we headed to the long porta-potty lines to relieve ourselves before heading the DBA to catch John Boutte with Leroy Jones and Todd Duke. While in my stall doing my thing, I hear from the next stall over, "Kevin, can you hear me?" Yes, I thought, and so can everybody else.
"Yes, I can hear you"
"Oh my God, this is disgusting! The bowl is completely full, I can't sit down"

At this point, I probably should have offered to switch porta-potties with her, but since I was now laughing so hard that was becoming difficult to finish my own business, I think I said something like, "That sucks!"

She then gave me, and anyone else nearby, play-by-play, of what she was doing to successfully complete her mission. I will spare everyone the details, but suffice it to say that it involved some interesting, and creative, maneuvers and definitely some good aim. I am sure it looked a bit odd when I exited my stall laughing hysterically, but anyone who may have heard our exchange probably understood. Those who did not hear our exchange probably understood a little better when Maria exited her stall laughing just as heartedly. That weirdness behind us, it was off to DBA.

Because of the long bathroom lines, Maria and I figured we would be last to get to DBA. Turns out, we almost beat everyone there. Ed and Debbie were there at the same time because we later compared songs, but we did not see them and they ended up heading out to dinner. Maria and I got there and hooked up with Bill, Pat, and eventually Carol. Peter and the rest of the gang went back to 822 to help Boz unload equipment for Sunday's crawfish boil. John, Lee, and Todd put on a great show and we hung out with them for a little while after the show before regrouping at 822 to share stories and drink some wine before making our way to 13 for dinner. For those of you counting at home, that's 8 to 9 hours at 13 on that Saturday. See, it's not all fun and games down in NOLA, sometimes we have to put in our regular work shifts.

Missing Shoes!...

I thought I left my shoes in Peter's place last weekend and when I asked him to send me any pair he found laying around, this is what I received...

Damn my feet hurt today.

Can it really get any better? -- Addendum!!!

FORGIVE ME!!! How the hell could I forget to mention Bill and Pat in my last post? I'm blaming it on Boz and too much moonshine last Monday morning! My apologies!

Can it really get any better?

French Quarter Fest was my second tour of duty in NOLA with the Frenchmen Krewe (despite feeling like it was my twentieth...love you guys) and I find myself asking, "can it really get any better than it was last weekend?" Funny, but I asked myself that same exact question after Satchmo Fest last August. And the answer I'm most comfortable with is YES...and NO.

Every weekend was or will be unique even though the names are familiar. From friends -- Peter, Kevin, Kim, Maria, Barri, Leroy, Katja, Carol and Boz -- to performers -- Trombone Shorty, Bonerama, Treme w/ Uncle Lionel, Hurricane Brass Band w/ Leroy and Katja -- to places -- 13, dba, Blue Nile, Electric Ladyland, Rays, Vaughn's, Donna's -- to...well, you get the point. NOLA is both incredibly familiar and unbelievely new and fresh every time I now visit. Traditions are taking shape (Crawfish Boils MUST be one of them!!!) yet spontaneity rules. Friendships are intimate without effort or expectations. The one word that most closely describes our time together?...MAGICAL.

I'll be blogging more thoughts (with my shirt ON...thanks, Kev!) and will post a few pics shortly. Miss you all already and can't wait for Satchmo Fest 2008 to arrive.

Happy FQF Fest 2008

Things didn't look so good when I was stuck in Dallas on Thursday. Two flights to NOLA had already been canceled, I was booked on an evening flight and on the standby list for the late afternoon flight. 9,000,000 others were on the standby list, too. Soon, the rest of the evening flights as well as the 10 am Friday flight would be canceled. The bar was packed with folks rooting for others to make the flight, but secretly hoping that they wouldn't...or was that just me? I was prepared to rent a car and drive to dallas and would have probably still made it to Vaughn's in time for the last set. The other option was to fly back to the OC...Ok, that wasn't really an option.

I made the flight. It was a party. Everyone was ordering alcoholic beverages (which AA would not comp...bastahds!) and talking about the music they would see at the festival. By the way, the airlines should add more flights to NOLA if for no other reason than to increase alcohol sales. Maybe that will turn things around for them.

Made it to 822 to find Ed with his shirt off -- weekend theme for him ;-D. But it was ok as the air conditioning was out at 822 and it was August-like hot that day so I understood. I considered joining Ed in shirtless living, but I thought that might be a bit weird. By Sunday night, that would have registered so low on the weirdness scale that I would regret not doing it.

Ed put his shirt on and we went to Maximos for dinner. We were headed for Coops, but saw that Maximos had reopened so we gave it a shot. After that, it was off to frenchmen for John Boutte and Paul Sanchez, to 13 for a beer and then off to Vaughn's with Bill and Pat. At Vaughn's we hooked up with Carol and later with Peter and Kimberle. I think we did something after Vaughn's and I am sure it had something to do with Frenchmen street and 13, but I don't remember

Friday was one of those days that I didn't want to end. The music, the company, the weather, the bloody mary followed by a "few" cold Abitas all made for a nearly perfect afternoon. If not for my face peeling off due to the sunburn I obtained, I would have deemed it the perfect day, but my flaking face is a small price to pay. I love the first day of events like Jazz Fest and FQF. So much promise and anticipation. Everything just seems to look, sound, and taste better. Not even Gabby could have ruined the first Friday of FQF, but that would have been a much larger price to pay than my burnt face.

Not bad for the first day...and there is plenty more to publish...stay tuned.

More Pics from Nola